Mark Heard released 13 studio albums in his lifetime (as Mark Heard & Ideola) also 1 album with Infinity Plus Three), and produced and performed with many other artists as well, such as Daniel Amos, Sam Phillips, Pierce Pettis, Phil Keaggy, Vigilantes of Love, Peter Buck of R.E.M., John Austin, The Choir, Randy Stonehill and Michael Been of The Call. Heard produced part of Olivia Newton John's The Rumour, which also included a cover of Heard's "Big and Strong".
On July 4, 1992, Heard suffered a heart attack on stage while performing with Pierce Pettis and Kate Miner, at the Cornerstone Festival, near Chicago, Illinois. Heard finished his set and went to the hospital immediately afterwards. Two weeks after being released from the hospital, Heard had a cardiac arrest and died in August of 1992. Sadly, this happened at a time when Heard's musical career never looked brighter. Not only had he just released three albums (Dry Bones Dance in 1990, Second Hand in 1991, and Satellite Sky in 1992) that many hailed as his best work to date, but he had also just been included on a sampler from Windham Hill's High Street label.
Heard's early work was often marked by strong, poetic lyrics; but musically he lingered in a generic folk/folk-rock style. But Heard continued to experiment musically; his most extreme was perhaps the elaborately-produced electronic rock on the album Tribal Opera, which he released under the name iDEoLA. With Dry Bones Dance, however, Heard's music blossomed into an intense folk-rock fusion, marked by driving rhythms, virtuosic instrumentals, passionate vocals, and interwoven elements borrowed from styles such as Appalachian folk, zydeco, bluegrass, and country (though Heard's music is none of those). Second Hand returned to a more acoustic guitar-based folk sound, but retained the energy and creativity discovered through Dry Bones Dance. His final official album, Satellite Sky, was again more like the latter.
Mark Heard's lyrics are deeply grounded in a Christian view of the world, though explicitly so only half the time. He was often critical and had an eye for emotional pain and spiritual desolation, yet he remarkably avoided cynicism. When his lyrics turned to expressing hope or joy, they were powerful. As a poetic lyricist, Heard cultivated verbal sound (e.g. with internal rhyme), strong images and elaborate personae, while avoiding the cheap punch-line metaphors popular in much contemporary folk music. Some of his images, most notably "bones," can be found repeated and richly varied in their meaning across years of songwriting.
In 1994, many artists came together to record a tribute album called Strong Hand of Love. Artists lending their talents to the project included Victoria Williams, Chagall Guevara, Buddy Miller, Julie Miller, Daniel Amos, The Choir, Rich Mullins, Bruce Cockburn, and the Vigilantes of Love. The project was later reissued as a 2 CD set with additional tracks and retitled Orphans of God.
With The Setting Sun
Mark Heard Lyrics
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The earth spins on and on
And so much news is bad
But with the setting sun
I let the evening come
Learning to be glad
Stars in the evening sky
Lullabye
The sun is sinking deep
I lay me down to sleep
I bid my cares goodnight
The lyrics of Mark Heard's song "With The Setting Sun" explore the concept of finding peace and contentment in the midst of a world that is constantly moving and changing. The opening line "Another day is gone" sets the stage for the song's introspective theme, as the singer acknowledges the passage of time and the cyclical nature of life. The repetition of the line "The earth spins on and on" reinforces this idea of perpetual motion and change, while also hinting at a certain level of insignificance in the grand scheme of things.
However, despite the many challenges and difficulties that the world presents, the chorus of the song offers a glimpse of hope and comfort. The "sweet sweet simple treasure" of the stars in the evening sky serve as a symbol of the beauty and wonder that can be found in even the most mundane moments. The lullaby-like melody of the chorus adds to this feeling of comfort and security, as the singer embraces the peace that comes with the setting sun and lays down to rest for the night, bidding his cares goodnight.
Overall, the lyrics of "With The Setting Sun" offer a poignant reminder to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the world around us, even in the midst of chaos and turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
Another day is gone
The passage of time continues, and this particular day has ended
The earth spins on and on
The planet continues to rotate, regardless of what happens on its surface
And so much news is bad
There is a plethora of negative events happening, as reflected in the constant stream of bad news
But with the setting sun
As the day concludes and the sun descends, there is an opportunity to reflect on the good things in life
I let the evening come
I am accepting the end of the day and opening myself up to the peacefulness of evening
Learning to be glad
I am making a conscious effort to find joy in life despite the negativity that surrounds us
Stars in the evening sky
The night sky is filled with glittering stars, which provide comfort and awe
Lullabye
The beauty of the stars is like a soothing lullaby that eases tensions
Sweet sweet simple treasure
The peacefulness of the evening and the beauty of the stars are simple pleasures that can be cherished
The sun is sinking deep
As the sun descends into the horizon, it symbolizes the end of the day and the potential for a fresh start tomorrow
I lay me down to sleep
I am preparing for rest and rejuvenation at the end of the day
I bid my cares goodnight
I am letting go of any worries or concerns from the day, in order to find peace and relaxation
Contributed by Christopher T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.